Ben & Rob's preview - Newcastle

After a fortnight away for internationals, we're back in action against Newcastle United in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday (4.30pm) - time for N17 Live presenter Ben Haines and Club commentator Rob Daly to talk all things Toon...

Don't forget to join Ben and Rob with special guests, legendary former midfielders, FA Cup and UEFA Cup winners Micky Hazard and Graham Roberts on N17 Live on Sunday - the programme begins across all Club channels from 3.45pm.

State of play

Four wins in our last five, and all of a sudden we've just nine games to go - where do you see us at the moment?

Rob: "No interruptions now! It is nine Premier League matches in seven weeks with a clear objective. The international break came, as Antonio Conte said himself, at a frustrating time - the team was hitting its stride with four wins in five league games. It's good to start the run-in at home - the atmosphere was excellent for West Ham. Liverpool, Arsenal and Leicester are the toughest games on paper - but the consistency Conte has been craving is needed week-in, week-out."

Ben: "I can't believe we're at this point already - just nine to go. The table without context shows us sitting behind Arsenal having played a game more. But, look a little deeper, both sides with four wins in five in the Premier League, both sides hitting form at the right time, both sides knowing we still have to face each other before the end of the season too... take nothing for granted, but I think come Monday night when Arsenal play Crystal Palace away, if we've picked up a good result against Newcastle on Sunday we're going to see them in a very, very different light. Suddenly, at this stage of the season, to be the team with it all to lose feels so different to being the team chasing someone down. Just on Rob's point - on N17 Live we speak so so much about consistency. It does appear that we're getting there, the performance against West Ham felt like a real statement and hopefully the international break hasn't held up any of that momentum."

The Toon

Now up to 14th in the Premier League, off the back of a recent run of nine unbeaten, what do you make of Eddie Howe's Newcastle?

Ben: "I've caught quite a bit of Newcastle recently, and they've been really impressive. They were robbed really against Chelsea (0-1), showed brilliant character against West Ham (1-1) and picked up three really good wins against Brentford (2-0), Brighton (2-1) and Southampton (2-1). Jamaal Lascelles has been talking about the unity in the squad and the way in which the team are getting behind Eddie Howe, it does really feel like they've managed to shut out a lot of the noise around the club incredibly well and the team itself has done a brilliant job on the pitch. January's transfers have settled quickly and made an impact which is a tough ask given the time of the year, and they are a much changed side from the one we beat earlier on this season. Having said all this... we're so settled in terms of our playing style and in terms of the team you'd expect Antonio to put out. One thing that was brilliant against West Ham is that we showed against a physical and stubborn opponent that we can break them down, equally against Brighton, a team who are a little more open, we were able to cut through. That dynamism and ability to beat teams who might sit in a little bit more as well as teams that want to come here and really take the game to us, means we come into this game with real confidence about the sort of Spurs display we're expecting."

Rob: "Prior to a couple of recent defeats to Chelsea and Everton, Newcastle were nine unbeaten in the league, winning six. They’ve pulled away from the relegation zone comfortably and found a system that works. Of all their January business, Dan Burn has been the biggest difference maker - a commanding defence presence they’ve lacked for some time. Midfielder Bruno Guimarães is starting to get minutes and scored a stunning back-heel goal against Southampton recently. Matt Targett has been solid, Chris Wood is yet to score, while Kieran Tripper is a notable absentee through injury. The more surprising change to pay off though has been using striker Joelinton as a central midfielder - he’s an extremely hard worker and has physicality too. Regardless of Newcastle’s improvements, Spurs should back themselves to win. I don’t think we’re expecting too many changes to Conte’s team, if any. Harry Kane is playing his best football of the season. His EA SPORTS Player of the Month award for March was thoroughly deserved. Son and Kulusevski have helped him form a brilliant attack, while Steven Bergwijn’s three goals in two games for the Netherlands shows he’s razor sharp too. Some players have had a rest from match time, which can’t have hurt either. It’s a massive stage in the season. I can’t wait for Sunday!"

Random question

What is your favourite Spurs goal against Newcastle?

Rob: "After Gareth Bale’s stunning heroics for Wales the other day, I’ll go for February, 2013, his free-kick that bounced just in front of the keeper to open the scoring in a 2-1 win. Such superb technique to hit the ball like that with a deceiving dip low in to the corner. He’d get the winner too. What a player!"

Ben: "Two for me please! 1998 - one of the first games I watched from the East Stand at White Hart Lane. Through those gorgeous old school turnstiles, and sitting just far enough away from one of the restricted view poles, to enjoy a David Ginola mastercalss, creating two goals - one for Sir Les to thump home a header from a corner and one for Jurgen Klinsmann to head in after a gorgeous bit of skill from David. Because he's worth it!"

Relive that 2013 win!